Review: LALA - My Go-To Free Vocal Compressor VST Plugin

The Analog Obsession LALA free VST plugin is a simulation of the iconic Teletronix LA-2A optical limiter/compressor with some additional features designed to enhance its functionality. In this review, we will take a closer look at LALA’s capabilities, including its filter sidechain, external sidechain, and mix controls.

LALA is an emulation of the Teletronix LA-2A optical compressor, which is known for its smooth and transparent compression characteristics. The LA-2A is a popular choice for vocal processing because it can add warmth and control to vocals without introducing harsh artifacts or coloration.

Sound Quality

The most critical aspect of any compressor emulation is its ability to replicate the sound and character of the original hardware. LALA impressively captures the warm, smooth, and transparent compression of the LA-2A. The subtle harmonic saturation and gentle compression that the LA-2A is known for are faithfully reproduced in LALA, making it a great choice for those seeking that classic analog warmth.

Filter Sidechain

LALA’s filter sidechain feature adds a valuable dimension to its capabilities. It offers three bands of filtering:

HPF (High-Pass Filter): The HPF allows you to cut low-end frequencies from the sidechain signal. This is particularly useful for preventing the compressor from overreacting to heavy bass elements, providing better control over compression for material with substantial low-frequency content.
MF/MG (Mid-Frequency): This mid-frequency control lets you adjust the sensitivity of the compressor for midrange frequencies. It’s a practical tool for fine-tuning the compressor’s response to vocals, instruments, or any specific midrange content in your mix.
HF/FLAT (High-Frequency/Flat): This control allows you to set the sensitivity of the compressor for high frequencies. It’s an enhanced version of the original LA-2A’s R37 setting. This addition is fantastic for preserving the brilliance and sparkle of high-frequency content while applying compression.

External Sidechain

LALA also includes an external sidechain input, which is a valuable feature for advanced mixing and ducking effects. You can route an external signal, such as a kick drum or another instrument, to control the compressor’s gain reduction behavior, enabling creative sidechain compression effects.

Mix Control

The mix control is a welcome addition that allows you to blend the compressed signal with the dry signal. This feature is highly useful for parallel compression techniques, where you can maintain the dynamics of the original sound while adding the desired amount of compression.

Ease of Use

LALA’s user interface is well-designed, with clear labeling and intuitive controls. This makes it user-friendly for both beginners and experienced audio engineers. The inclusion of tooltips for parameter descriptions further simplifies the learning curve.

The Analog Obsession LALA VST plugin successfully emulates the Teletronix LA-2A’s iconic sound and expands upon it with a useful filter sidechain, external sidechain, and mix controls.

Whether you’re looking to add vintage warmth to your tracks or apply precise compression to specific frequency ranges, LALA offers a versatile and authentic solution. The plugin can be a good choice for processing vocals, especially if you’re looking for vintage-inspired, warm, and transparent compression.

Its impressive sonic quality makes it a valuable addition to any audio producer or engineer’s DAW toolkit. LALA plugin is avaialble for both Windows and MAC, in 64-bit VST/VST3/AU plugin format.

And best of all…it’s free! The download link is available on the official LALA Patreon page, where you can also make a little donation to support the developer.

Link: https://www.patreon.com/posts/lala-36128829